So here we are again, approaching the end of August! Unbelievable how time flies when you're having fun! The past weekend, I had the opportunity to stay on Alida's plot as a semi-permanent resident, as they are away until Wednesday. So I have been looking after the kids and the horses and it has been a blast!
On Friday evening the kids spent the night with me because Alida and Hein left bright and early on their roadtrip to KZN. So on Saturday morning, after we woke up, we had some breakfast and then it was off to Dance class (for Annelise), which was a bit of a change for me as I had been going to the riding school on a regular basis for the past two to three months! After dance class we went "home", which truly is a regular paradise for kids when you look at it from an outsider's point of view!
There is a sparklingly bright blue swimmingpool, trampoline, jungle gyms and lots of wide open spaces to run or to ride bikes. Then they have the five wonderful horses on the plot, ranging from pony size for little ones, to the bigger horses, all people friendly and rideable. Bliss in my opinion, which is why I cannot understand how ANY child would want to spend more time indoors watching television or dvd's! Saturday was a gorgeously warm day as well, with winter gradually taking its leave of us! Summer is on its way!
Because Alida was away, her horse riding lessons fell onto me, but I did not have a lot to do as some of the little people cancelled due to illness and other reasons. (Another reason for winter to just rather go away as it is interfering with our activities!) :-) However, we had lots of fun during the few lessons that did happen. Zander, the feisty little redhead who just wants to "go fast" actually rode on his own on Saturday, in the big lunge arena and his concentration was also much approved. Then Okkie, who was really only supposed to be back for lessons in September (he was naughty and punishment was no riding for a month!) tried out his brand new boots for the first time, riding Peanut. Near the end of his lesson as he was starting to try the rising trot, he forgot to squeeze with his knees just as Peanut went over into a light canter and Okkie had a spectacular fall!
I call it a spectacular fall because he came off in slow motion, holding onto her neck and gracefully landing on his feet in the dust. It was understandably frightening to him at the time, so the tears started welling up, but I ran over and congratulated him on the greatness of his first fall and I also informed him that he cantered for the very first time! His tears disappeared and he was all smiles and back onto that horse in a matter of seconds! We ended the lesson in high spirits and he is ready for more action when he returns officially in September to continue his lessons with Alida!
The rest of our Saturday was spent taking Peanut and Butter for a leisurely trot around the arena and outside and then it was time to feed them and bed them down for the night! We had dinner and a bath and relaxed a bit before all the eyes started to droop and we traipsed off to bed.
Sunday was another busy day for us, because it was sunny and warm and just right to spend the day outdoors. The kids however, was allowed to watch one DVD and then it was playtime, soccer time, bike time and even reading time! All done outside in the balmy weather. Late afternoon we had some more fun with the horses and before we knew what was happening, another splendid weekend was over!
I therefore highly recommend sunshine, fresh air and physical activities as a regular occurence as those ingredients make for smiley, happy faces with rosy cheeks!
Enjoy the last bit of winter, welcoming Spring in all its glory!
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